Details

Date Published

Sept. 1, 2017

CPU Clock Rate

3.1 GHz

GPU Core Clock Rate

1.29 GHz

GPU Effective Memory Clock Rate

7.008 GHz

Description

The Ryzen 3 1200 sits uncomfortably between Intel's unbeatable budget G4560 and AMD's own excellent but much more expensive R5 1600. So why buy one of these? In my opinion, it makes sense if you have a budget that extends beyond a G4560 build but can't quite stretch to an R5 1600 one, since you get near-Core-i5 performance on the AM4 platform, with all its lovely scope for future CPU upgrades.

This build went pretty smoothly. Overclocking the R3 1200 was straightforward, given the very limited BIOS options on this motherboard: set a target core frequency, set core voltage, and try booting. I couldn't get 4GHz to boot, even at 1.45V (a value that went an alarming red when entered in BIOS, despite it being AMD's own stated safe limit). 3.9GHz survived Cinebench and AIDA64 but failed to reboot after a full shutdown. Meh. 3.8GHz at 1.35V was stable with acceptable temps under the stock cooler at full speed, which is certainly audible but not unpleasant.

In a frenzy, I also overclocked the graphics card, getting about a 7-8% performance boost in my synthetics (Firestrike and Heaveb) but nothing significant when testing PUBG using FRAPS (noisy process though, so not fussed about that).

Overall, I like this system and I'd happily recommend it or something similar as a cheap-ish but not bare-bones-budget option.

Lastly, can I just say, I'm astonished at what I got out of an included-with-the-case PSU. I never thought I'd even use one of those, let alone manage two fairly respectable overclocks without drama. Long-term verdict isn't in, sure, but impressively unexplodey so far.

Any questions or comments please feel free and I'll try to reply as best I can here, or you could look me up on Facebook where I'm Sensible Systems.

Hi, the price tracking on PCPP shows prices based on your location, which I'm guessing is Canada, since as I write this the 500GB WD Blue is $99 via Newegg.ca ... Meaning, the price you see may not be what the builder paid. And in this case, it's not.